AS I was musing, I thought there was one asked me, what the Quakers were, or from whence they came, and of whom they had their know­ledge and learning? I told him, I could give him no certain answer as yet, but I would con­sult the Scriptures, and then return an Answer to his Question.

Our Saviour Jesus Christ tels us, Math. 24 11. That many false Prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many: And St. John saith, Rev. 9.1, 2, 3. I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth; and to him was given the key of the bottomless Pit: And he opened the bottomless Pit, and there arose a smoak out of the Pit, as the smoak of a great fornace, and the sun and the air were darkned, by reason of the smoak of the pit. And there came out of the smoak locusts up­on the earth, and unto them was given power as the Scorpions of the earth have power.

The Pope hath the key of hell gate, and carrieth it on his arme, as he acknowledgeth; he can with his false doctrines send men to hell, but can send none to heaven: under the Pope are his Imps, viz. Abbots, Monks, Friers, Jesuites, Quakers, who are compared to Locusts, because as Locusts destroy the fruits of the earth, so the Quakers destroy the Church. And I do verily believe, there are many of them in this Land, who, like the Locusts, begin to eat up all the green things they can in our Churches. These Ca­terpillars were bred of Ignorance, Errour and Heresie, and came out of the smoak of the bottomless pit; and by them the Go­spel is much wronged, hindred and abused. The Quakers we may call Spirits, which come out of the mouth of the Dragon, and out of the mouth of the Beast, and out of the mouth of the false Prophet: and St. John saith, these Spirits are like frogs: by frogs the holy Ghost meaneth Iesuites and Seminary Priests: now such are the Quakers, who are of the same brood, and they may fitly be com­pared to frogs for two reasons.

1. As frogs delight in filthy lakes and puddles, so the Quakers delight in their false Doctrines, teaching the Traditions of men, [Page 2]and so walk on in their wickedness, according to St. Iohns saying, Rev. 22.11. He that is unjust let him be unjust still, and he that is fil­thy; let him be filthy still.

2. As frogs make a great croking in marish grounds, so the Iesuites, Seminary Priests and Quakers, by their sweet and fair words, get themselves favour in such Gentlemens houses, where they can have entertainment.

The Quakers also are like unto Scorpions, for as Scorpions sting the body, so do they sting the soul, and with their [...]air words and false doctrines do corrupt as many as they can, speaking lies in hypocrisie having their consciences seared with a hot iron, 1 Tim. 4.2. And therefore God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie; that they all might be damned, who believed not the truth, 2 Thes. 2.11, 12.

The Quakers have stung and poysoned many in this Land by their fair words and false doctrines: Behold, I am against the Pro­phets saith the Lord, that use their tongues, and say. He saith, Behold, I am against them that prophesie false dreams, saith the Lord, and do tell them, and cause my people to erre by their lies, Jer. 23.31, 32. The Quakers walk after their Master, the Prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience, Eph. 2.2.

But I hope and verily believe, that God will keep and maintain his Church, and the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ in this Land, so that neither the Pope, nor Quakers shall ever be able to set up Popery again in the same. And the reason of my belief is this, because the everlasting Gospel, which was carried by the Angel that did flie in the midst of heaven, shall spread still more and more, as appeareth Rev. 14.6. And our Saviour Jesus Christ hath promised, that the gates of hell shall not prevail against his Church and Gospel, Math. 16.18. Wherefore our onely wisdom is, to separate our selves from the Quakers, and avoid their false doctrine, and to joyn our selves to the true Church of God, whereas those that do not shall perish, for God is just, and there­fore he will recompence tribulation to all those that trouble the Church, 2 Thes. 1.6.

We of this Land and Nation, may justly fear, that as God here­tofore had a controversie with the children of Israel, because there was no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the Land; so he will have a controversie with us, because we are guilty of the same sins.

As concerning the knowledge and learning of the Iesuites, Quakers, Anabaptists, Libertines, &c. I do believe, that their know­ledge and learning came from their old Master the Devill, other­wise they would not maintain and defend these errors and blas­phemies. viz.

1. That there is no need of preaching, reading, praying, the Sacraments, singing of Psalmes, and all other Ordinances, the Spi­rit is all (as they say:)

2. That all gifted persons may preach without ordination.

3. That God revealeth his will, not onely by the written word, but also by Dreams and Visions, which they believe more than the Word of God.

4. They deny all Consequences drawn from the Scripture, though never so clear.

5. That the Magistrate must compell none in matters of Reli­gion, but must tolerate all.

6. That Heaven and Hell are no where, but within a man.

7. That they may dissemble their Religion, deny Christ before men, so that they keep the Truth in their hearts: God delighteth not in our bloud, nor requireth that we should die for the Truth.

8. That Infant Baptism is a childish needless thing, and that no Infants ought to be baptized, untill they come to perfect age, and are able to make a Confession of their faith. That Infant-baptism came from the Pope or Devill.

9. That the Saints are freed by Christ, from all Laws, Cove­nants, Vows, paying of Tithes, or Debts.

10. That after Baptism they cannot sin.

11. That the soul sleepeth when it departeth from the body, and neither goeth to heaven or hell till the day of Judgement; and that the soules of men are but terrestial vapours, like Beasts, perishing with the body.

12. That a Christian cannot with a safe Conscience possess any thing proper to himself, but he must let all be common.

13. That the Sacraments in use amongst us, are not appointed by God in the Scriptures.

14. That the righteous enter into life for their good works.

15. That no opinion is damnable, and that a man may be sa­ved in any Religion.

16. That Christ is a meer man, not having any other nature be­side the humane nature.

17. That the Holy Ghost is not God, but onely the chief of the ministring Spirits.

18. That man is a right Rule, yea, the Rule of all things.

19. That God neither doth, nor possibly can hurt us, and there­fore is not to be feared.

20. That no civill Government is to be acknowledged by the Government of the Law.

21. That the civill Magistrate hath not any coercive power to punish any man, or to restrain any for their Judgement, Consci­ence, Opinion, or way of worship, if they act or speak nothing that is destructive to the civill Power, or tending to the breach of the peace, or to the injury of another, and the reason they give is this, because the Magistrate he is natural, and knoweth not what is Blasphemy, Heresie, Errour and Idolatry, they are foolishness to him, neither can he discern them.

22. That the Magistrate ought not to have the Title of Wor­shipful or Right Worshipful given unto them.

23. That none are Ministers of God, and called by him, who are sent forth by Authority of men.

24. That the worship which is performed by the people of Eng­land, in fellowship with the Ministers thereof, is heathenish worship.

By all which we may see how necessary it is, that both Magi­strates and Ministers, with united hearts and hands, endeavour to oppose and suppress these errours and heresies, which bring swift destruction, both upon false teachers themselves, and upon those that are deceived by them.

I do earnestly intreat all those that fear God, to take these things into their serious consideration, and meditation, both in publick and private, and lay to heart, how dangerous and pernici­ous these errours and heresies are, for if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world, through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ, they are again intangled therein and overcome, the later end is worse with them than the beginning, 2 Pet. 2 20. And let all men that have any care of their salvation, follow the counsel of the Holy Ghost, saying, come out from among them, and be not parta­kers of their sins; for many deceivers are entred into the world (and certainly into this Land) 2 John 7. who privily shall (and do) bring in damnable heresies (even amongst us) denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift distruction. And many shall follow their pernitious wayes, by reason of whom the way of truth [Page 5]shall be evill spoken of, 2. Pet. 2.1, 2. The time will come, when they will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears, who shall say to their new Lights, prophesie not unto us right things, speak unto us flattering things prophesie errours, Isai. 30.10. And we will walk after our own de­vices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evill heart. Jer. 18.12. Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the Law, and the wordt which the Lord of Hosts hath sent in his Spirit by the former Prophets, Zech. 7.12. Thus saith the Lord of Hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the Prophets that prophesie unto you, they make you vain, they speak a vision out of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord. How long shall this be in the heart of the Prophets that prophesie lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart. Behold I am against them that prophesie false dreames, saith the Lord, and do tell them, and cause my people to erre by their lies, and by their lightness, yet I sent them not, nor commanded them; there­fore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the Lord. Ierem. 23.16, 26, 32.

We read in the Book of Numbers, chap. 16.1, 2, 3. That Korah, Dathan and Abiram rose up before Moses with two hundred and fifty Princes of the Assembly, and they gathered themselves together against Moses, and against Aaron, and said unto them, ye take too much upon you, seeing all the Congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them, &c. So the Quakers gather themselves toge­ther against the Godly learned Ministers of the Gospel, saying unto them, the people are holy, and the Lord is among them, and therefore why may not they preach as well as you Black-coats:

But they consider not, that none ought to preach except they be called, according to that of the Apostle, Heb. 5.4. No man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. And how shall they preach, except they be sent? Rom. 10.15. It is a note of false Prophets, to run and come without a call and send­ing, as our Saviour Christ affirmeth, Math. 7.15. Beware of false Prophets, which come unto you, &c. So that it is evident, no private person ought to take upon him to expound and interpret the Scri­pture in publick, for this is the ready way to breed disorder, errour and confusion in the Church: If every Souldier, that hath the gifts of a Commander, should take upon him the Office of a Ge­neral, without a lawful Call; or he that hath the gift of a Magi­strate should take upon him the Office of a Magistrate, and exe­cute [Page 6]the same without a lawful Call; or if a Lawyer, [...]ing the gifts of a Judge, should step up into the Judges seat, and censure men without a lawful Call: then farewell Generals, Magistrates, Judges, which would breed disorder and confusion in the Com­mon-wealth.

Be admonished all you that take upon you to preach (or ra­ther prate) in houses, gardens, and elsewhere, without a lawful Call, to desist from this your ungodly practise, lest the same judgement befal you, which did befal Ʋzzah, for putting forth his hand to stay the Ark of God, the anger of the Lord was kindled against Ʋzzah, and God smore him for his errour, and he died 2 Sam. 6.6, 7.

Let me conclude all with these scriptural exhortations to my Country-men, for whose sakes I have compiled this short dis­course.

Beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: How that they told you, there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts: these be they, who separate themselves sensual, having not the Spirit, Iude 17, 18, 19. Who shall be punished with everlasting de­struction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power, 2 Thes. 1.9. Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong, 1 Cor. 16.13. Be sober, be vigilant, because your Adver­sary the Devil, as a roaring Lyon walketh about, seeking whom he may devour; whom resist stedfast in the faith, 1 Pet. 5.8, 9. Be not soon shaken in minds, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by let­ter, 2 Thes. 2.2. That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, Eph. 4.14. Let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wa­vering (for he is faithful that promised:) He. 10.22, 23. Finally, my bre­thren, be strong in the Lord, & in the power of his might: put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil. Eph. 6.10, 11. There be some that trouble you, and would per­vert the Gospel of Christ. If any man preach any other Gospel unto you, than that ye have received, let him be accursed, Gal. 1.7, 9.